An affidavit indicates Johnson’s 11-year-old sister accused a 5-year-old girl of spitting water on her at the splash pad. It indicates the 11-year-old went home and told her family. Her mother came back to the park, scolding the 5-year-old’s babysitter.

The affidavit indicates a man walked to the park from the woods and punched the babysitter in the head. When the man’s gun dropped to the ground, according to the affidavit, he picked it up and started shooting.

Gerhardt said Hintz stepped in to protect his girlfriend’s family. He was shot twice.

“He’s my hero,” Gerhardt said. “And I’ve told him every day I’ve gone up there. I’ve just said, ‘Do your job now and rest and get better for mom, because I can’t get a new son.'”

Gerhardt said she feels grateful her son or another child was not injured more severely.